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The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission tabled a Verizon Wireless request for a cellphone tower on 32nd Avenue South.
A Verizon representative told the commission Tuesday that the area needs more cell coverage, but city planners said they don’t want the 40-foot tower as a visual...
Grand Forks, 58203

Grand Forks North Dakota 375 2nd Ave. N. 58203

2014-07-02 21:47:20

The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission tabled a Verizon Wireless request for a cellphone tower on 32nd Avenue South.

A Verizon representative told the commission Tuesday that the area needs more cell coverage, but city planners said they don’t want the 40-foot tower as a visual distraction in one of the city’s busiest corridors.

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“Overall, it’s not my preference for a site,” said Ryan Brooks, deputy planner. For aesthetic reasons, he said, “We would love for them to go on top of a building that’s as hidden as possible.”

The proposed site on 32nd Avenue would be on the roof of Kindness Animal Hospital. Before settling on that site, Verizon approached several other nearby businesses that opposed a cell tower on their roofs, said Eddie Buell, a consultant for Verizon.

Brooks said he wanted to avoid telling Verizon where to build its cell tower because it is a private business, but commissioners instructed him to work with Verizon and suggest appropriate locations.

The proposal will return to the planning commission for approval.

Hugo’s apartments

More details on apartments in the planned south Grand Forks Hugo’s development were revealed at the meeting Tuesday.

The development, on South Washington Street and 47th Avenue South, will include 44 townhome units, according to city staff.

The commission recommended approval for the townhome plans.

The new Hugo’s development, already under construction, is planned to include a grocery store, surrounded by other commercial development, including restaurants, and some housing.

Charly Haley covers city government for the Grand Forks Herald. As night reporter, she also has many general assignments. Before working at the Herald, she was a reporter at the Jamestown Sun and interned at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, Detroit Lakes Newspapers and the St. Cloud Times. Haley is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead, and her hometown is Sartell, Minn.